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I think big companies like cj.com will not deceive your money, but how about their merchant? Small companies though many of them are honest one, but they are more likely to deceive your money than big one. Just an idea.

I agree with everyone and think basically the same thing as etLux. I think they just have way too much to lose to cheat people. If they cheated someone, the mercahnts would surely hear about it and then they'd more than likely move their affiliate program elsewhere because so many people wouldn't use it. I think you can trust them.

One important thing to note though, that the only thing CJ can really track for sure is click-throughs, with Pay-Per-Lead/Sale programs it is still up to the individual merchant ( even if they are running through CJ ) to report sales/leads properly.

So, even if you are using CJ or any other trusted program, like LinkShare , keep your eyes open.

Stefan, I think the same comment as above probably applies to the merchants, as to the ad providers (sometimes called "brokers").

Although there may be a few merchants or ad providers out there who "skim" the count, the vast majority are going to stick to the mark.

There are two reasons for this.

First, as I mentioned above, one clear case of fraud -- and whether merchant or ad provider, they're out of business. That sort of thing will get around boards like this and the 'Net generally with incredible speed.

Second -- if you aren't making money on an ad -- you're going to dump it. So am I. I do it every day. So, it behooves the merchants to pay an honest measure if they want sites to continue to carry their ads.

Yes I fully agree with you etLux, just pointing it out that just because a merchant is with CJ it doesn't give you any guarantees. There has been some complaints on some of the companies with CJ in the past ( don't remember the names, there was however some really upset voices in the CJ forum ( the old one ) )

Also it is pretty hard for an individual to prove the merchant is cheating, say if the merchant choose to not report every tenth lead or sale.

I guess there's always that risk -- if a merchant is damned fool enough to take it. It's fraud any way you slice it, and it's not just business suicide, it's jail time if someone proves it.

And you're right, I don't know of any good way for all the little guys out here to verify that a merchant is giving an honest count -- though I'd think major affiliate programs would exercise the prudence to conduct routine audits.

On the other hand, though, as I said, you always have the option of voting with your feet if you're suspicious of either an affiliate program or a merchant.

There are literally millions of merchants who want your space -- and hundreds and hundreds of affiliate programs, too.

I believe CJ takes deposit from merchant in worst situations.
Furthermore, I also think that CJ merchant using very similar tracking systems! Or maybe CJ even provide them with a tracking system. I don't know for sure.
But I know some using double-tracking system

Anyway, CJ is still the best in all affiliate networks, it collects your compensation from all program you participate! That's the best feature.